CPAC Panel: When it comes to energy, America is ‘starving at a feast’

Ann McElhinney thinks accessing more of America’s fossil fuel would be “fracking brilliant.”

At the Conservative Political Action Conference on Saturday, a panel of pro-drilling conservatives argued that federal laws and Obama administration regulation is causing Americans to “starve at a feast.”

The panelists all argued that America has a wealth of fossil fuels and natural gas, and, if allowed, could tap into its supply, create a huge number of jobs and enjoy steady economic recovery.

What’s standing in the way?

The government, they said.

McElhinney, a movie director, energized the crowd of about 150 people with her enthusiasm, arguing that conservatives have failed to defend their right to energy, allowing liberals to win with environmental arguments. She argued that those who preach against fossil fuels enjoy its benefits.

“Nancy Pelosi is loving (fossil fuel),” she said emphatically. “She can’t be pulled from that private jet… they all love it, they’re just liars.”

Charles Drevna, president of the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, agreed with McElhinney. He argued that the current administration is anti-fossil fuel, and while the country has an exorbitant amount of energy and the technology to recover it economically, America lacks the political will.

Conn Carroll, senior editorial writer at The Washington Examiner, blamed regulations like the National Environmental Policy Act that are used to stop or postpone energy projects. He cited Keystone XL as a recent example of this, arguing that its just one example where the industry’s potential growth is stunted.

The moderator, James Taylor, senior fellow and Managing Editor at Environmental and Climate News, cited Texas as an example of how many jobs oil and natural gas production can create. If this could be done at a greater level nation wide, he sad, America would be able to export energy and level out the trade deficit.